Universal Air Interface

Abstract

An air interface of a flexible and airtight material includes a first ring and a second ring (both adjustable in size), a first ring holder to removably hold the first ring, a second ring holder to removably hold the second ring, a cord holder, and a cord with a lock-and-release mechanism to adjust its effective length. The first and second ring holder and the cord holder create a saddle between the first ring and the second ring, and an extension between the second ring and the cord. The extension can be wrapped over the saddle and back up to create a pocket. A flexible duct can be wrapped around the second ring. The end of the flexible duct can be thickened or tightened and inserted into the pocket. The flexible duct is trapped in (or released from) the pocket by adjusting the cord's effective length.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air interface, comprising:
 a first tube made of a flexible material;   a first ring;   a second ring;   a first ring holder, configured to hold at least a part of the first ring;   a second ring holder, configured to hold at least a part of the second ring;   a cord holder, configured to hold a cord; and   the cord, with a lock-and-release mechanism configured to adjust an effective length of the cord;   wherein:
 the first ring holder, the second ring holder, and the cord holder partition the first tube in at least a saddle between the first ring holder and the second ring holder, and an extension between the second ring holder and the cord holder. 
   
     
     
         2 . The air interface of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is airtight. 
     
     
         3 . The air interface of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material includes a fabric, a canvas and/or a plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The air interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first ring and the second ring are adjustable in size. 
     
     
         5 . The air interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first ring and the second ring are made of a material that can be flexed. 
     
     
         6 . The air interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first ring holder and the second ring holder are configured to removably hold the first ring and the second ring. 
     
     
         7 . The air interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first ring holder comprises a sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The air interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first ring holder comprises a pair of zipper halves. 
     
     
         9 . The air interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first ring holder comprises hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         10 . The air interface of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is machine washable. 
     
     
         11 . The air interface of  claim 1 , wherein the cord holder comprises a sleeve with an opening. 
     
     
         12 . A method of coupling a duct, comprising:
 (a) inserting a first ring in a first ring holder included in a first tube made of a flexible material;   (b) inserting a second ring in a second ring holder included in the first tube to create a saddle between the first ring and the second ring;   (c) folding at least a part of an extension in the first tube between the second ring holder and a cord holder over the saddle towards the first ring;   (d) folding a part of the at least a part of the extension back towards the second ring to create a pocket over the saddle, wherein the pocket ends at a cord holder at an end of the extension;   (i) wrapping an end of a first duct over the second ring and inserting the end of the first duct into the pocket; and   (k) adjusting the cord to trap the end of the first duct in the pocket.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first duct is or includes a first lay-flat duct, and the method further comprises:
 (h) rolling up an end of the first lay-flat duct to thicken the end of the first lay-flat duct.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first duct is flexible and reinforced, and the method further comprises:
 (j) reducing a circumference of an end of the first duct.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 (e) inserting a second duct into the first tube through the first ring and the second ring; and   (g) wrapping an end of the second duct over the second ring and inserting the end of the second duct into the pocket.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second duct is or includes a second lay-flat duct, and the method further comprises:
 (f) rolling up an end of the second lay-flat duct to thicken the end of the second lay-flat duct.   
     
     
         17 . A method of restricting an air flow, comprising:
 blowing air into a first side of a first tube made of a flexible material; and   adjusting an effective length of a cord in a cord holder at a second side of the first tube to limit an effective opening at the second side of the first tube; wherein:
 the flexible material is airtight. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first tube comprises a second ring holder inside the first tube, configured to hold at least a part of a second ring; and   the first tube comprises a first ring holder inside the first tube, configured to hold at least a part of a first ring.